Back in 2002, when I first started my eBay business, I did what came naturally. I mean, be honest, you don't really need anyone to tell you to sell the junk you have around the house, and then go out to yard sales, estate sales, and even thrift stores. It's a no-brainer, right?

Very quickly I learned that I had the "eBay eye." I could spot a good deal from a mile away. I was also pretty good at writing my own HTML to make my item descriptions really stand out and get attention, thus getting more bids.

However, I learned another thing. I found that my least favorite part of selling on eBay was the shipping. That dreaded shipping! Oh, how I hated it!

First, somehow you have to determine how much it will cost to ship, all the while not knowing where you'll be sending it to because the bidder who wins the auction could live ten miles away, or across the country.

Once the item is sold, you have to find a box/evelope to securely ship it. And of course, there's newspaper/magazines to stuff it with to keep it safe during its journey. And tape. And learning how to use those labels with your printer! More than once my printer almost went through the window.

And then there was the trip to the post office. We all hate that, right? Eventually, even when the USPS started offering home pick-ups, I still had to go to the post office sometimes because the mail carrier didn't always do his job.

Some may call me a glass-half-empty kind of gal. Here I was, making my living in the comfort of my own home, doing something that I really enjoyed. But still, I found something about it to hate. But, that hate motivated me to look elsewhere for an easier way, and eventually, I found it.

Not only did this "easier way" get rid of my shipping woes, but it even allowed me to avoid the garage sales and thrift stores. I found a solution that allowed me to do only what I enjoy and do best; list items and write glowing descriptions that encouraged bids.

What was my solution? Drop Shipping!

Yes, drop shipping is not just some buzzword. It is real, and it saved my eBay business. Quickly, here's how it works;

You find a wholesaler who is willing to sell you just one item at a time. When you purchase the item from him, he'll ship that item to any address you tell him to. You never even touch the product! You simply collect payment from your auction winner, pay your drop shipper for the item and give him your buyer's address, and keep what's left as profit. Everything else is done for you! What could be simpler?

The biggest problem is, finding these drop shipping wholesalers. Finding a drop shipper is easy. Go to Google, you'll get thousands of them. BUT, beware. They are not genuine drop shippers. I found this out the hard way. They are what you call "middle men." They build a web site, call themselves a drop shipper, and when you purchase from them, they turn around and purchase from the wholesaler. To make money, they have to hike up the price. And who pays the difference? You!

No, avoid middle men like the plague. You won't make any money that way. What you need are true wholesale drop shippers. It takes time, patience, and contacts to find a true wholesaler. They don't advertise online much because they're too busy selling to retailers.

Now that you're thinking "Why do you tell me I need a wholesaler just to tell me I can't find one?" let me put your mind at rest. There is a way to find real wholesalers. You need a "contact." Someone who has done all the work for you and can direct you to the wholesalers quickly and easily. I'm sure there are a few out there, but I only know of one that can point you to genuine drop shipping wholesalers who honestly charge you only a fraction of what you can get on eBay for brand name items.

To check 'em out, click here.

See you on eBay!